Familiar Face To Return This Autumn

28 Jul 2016 News

Familiar faces to appear in Made In Dagenham

A cast of 21 has been confirmed for Made in Dagenham as the musical returns to its East London roots from 26 August – 17 September at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and continues its run at the New Wolsey Theatre from 21 September – 15 October.

Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul, who directs, launches his debut season at the Queen’s Theatre with the first revival of this hit musical, a co-production with New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich.

Dagenham, 1968: Rita’s a busy mum, loving wife and hard-working Ford factory employee. But something’s very wrong. Rita and her female colleagues find themselves working long hours sewing car seats for far less money than the men. And they’ve had enough. Finding a voice she never knew she had, Rita leads the women on a trailblazing battle for equal pay, taking on the unions, Ford’s top brass and the Government. As the pressure mounts, Rita struggles to keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for.

Based on the hit film, Made in Dagenham – The Musical is inspired by the true story of the sewing machinists’ strike at the Ford Dagenham factory, which eventually led to the Equal Pay Act. Daniella Bowen stars as Rita, last seen at the New Wolsey Theatre as Sarah in the UK tour of Our House. Her many impressive credits include the West End’s Dreamboats and Petticoats and the tour of Mamma Mia.

“This is a real home-coming,” says Douglas. “A wonderful chance for us to relive a truly momentous piece of our area’s history. After its West End success, the play will now have its regional premiere in the most fitting location – a producing theatre just a few miles away from the Ford plant in which it is set. It’s a brilliant way to open our autumn season – with a fantastically large-scale, uplifting musical filling our stage, featuring wonderful actor-musicianship and choreography, and celebrating the achievements of local people.”

Ipswich audiences will be delighted to see that several familiar faces are returning this Autumn, with previous productions including Sweet Charity, Our House, and many rock’n’roll pantos!

Aptly, several members of the company are local to Hornchurch: Dan de Cruz, from Hornchurch; Steve Simmonds, from Dagenham; Sarah Scowen, from Grays; and Wendy Morgan, from Westcliff.

The full cast includes: Angela Bain, Daniella Bowen, Daniel Carter-Hope, Dan de Cruz, Sophie-May Feek, Jeffrey Harmer, Callum Harrower, Joey Hickman, Anthony Hunt, Martina Isibor, Graham Kent, Claire Machin, Wendy Morgan, Jamie Noar, Loren O’Dair, Elizabeth Rowe, Sioned Saunders, Sarah Scowen, Steve Simmonds, Thomas Sutcliffe and Alex Tomkins.

Musical Direction is by Ben Goddard, Choreography by Tim Jackson, Design by Hayley Grindle, Lighting Design by Paul Anderson, Sound Design by Emma Laxton, Voice Coaching by Charmian Hoare and Matthew Dewsbury is Casting Director.

Made in Dagenham – The Musical has a book by Richard Bean, music is by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas. Based on the Woolley/Karlsen/Number 9 Motion Picture. This production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited.

Tickets can be booked through the Tickets Sales Team by calling 01473 295900 or by booking online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk